Modeling help

[Cuda84]

I have mentioned before that there is certian modeling that I have to do in more advanced CAD softwares. Well I thought I would give everyone here a chance to figure out a way to do this modeling in MCX.

 

This modeling is for a check fixture, so it has to be accurate.

 

The problem: I have 3D surfaces, tool surfaces, part and runoff. The check fixture needs tolerance bands along the trim edge of the part. For this part they are +- 3MM from the trim edge. They need to be along the surface from the trim edge. Currently the only way to do this accuratly is to creat a tube along the trim edge, the tube radius being the 3MM tolerance, intersect this tube with the part and runoff surfaces. This cannot be done in MC. Anyone have any other ideas.

 

Note: Curves projected to a plane, offset, then projected back to the surfaces will not work.

 

I have uploaded a file to the FTP site. (TOLERANCE_BND-HLP_010407.MCX) This file has the tubes that I created in IDEAS software. Don't be concerned with the quality of the tubes, the intersection curves are smothed out latter. The trim curves are taken off the punches, they do not match the edges on the surfaces, not a problem, use the curves.

 

This is nothing I need to know right away. Don't waste time you don't have on it. Spare time project.

 

I look forward to hearing new ideas.

[crazy^millman]

Do you have solids in which to work with from the beginning? Have you look at Moldplus for trimming surfaces???

[Cuda84]

No, just surfaces which have been translated thru 2 or 3 different softwares. I am not concerned with trimming the surfaces, this can be done in MC if needed. It's creating a curve or edge in the correct location along the surface that I need to be able to do. Yes I do have some MoldPlus.

[Cuda84]

Is there a way to do this with the MoldPlus Trimeditor? I do not have this option.

[crazy^millman]

It has been a while since I have used Moldplus but I remember there being a good trim tool for surfaces.

 

Do you have solid in MCX. If so could you create a swept solid of the ube along the chain? Only problem might be if a radius is smaller than your 1.5mm radius of your tube. Have you tried making this a sheet solid and doing a boolen remove using the chain of your desired shape then a big circle or rectangle to give you a desired removal shape.

[pip]

Where on the FTP site, have you placed this file?

[pip]

Found it, sorry , can you save it in MCX format, as I don't have X2.

[Cuda84]

This is the location of the file.

 

ftp://www.ppcadcam.com/Mastercam_forum/MCX2_Files/

 

The problem is creating the geometry, not cutting it. The tube in the file is just for reference. To help explain how I do this now. What I have in that file is all I need to finish. I was wondering if there was a way to creat this tube or some other way to get my tolerance bands in MC, without going to another software.

[Cuda84]

Just one minut. The file will be (TOLERANCE_BND-HLP_010407_V1.MCX) when I am done.

[Cuda84]

Bump

 

No sugestions?

[Allan]

Curve 5 axis toolpath with a radial offset (left or right) of the 3mm normal to the surface...backplot and save as geo, or use the 3 axis output and cut your min max lines.

 

 

HTH

 

Allan

[Allan]

Cuda84;

 

I had a look at the file you posted to the FTP, I guess cutting it in 3axis is not an option

 

I've toolpathed it as I explained, looks good to me, the surface normals are important in the curve 5ax toolpath, check out the result, only took about 5 minutes.

 

TOLERANCE_BND-HLP_010407_V1_AB.MCX

 

Allan

[Cuda84]

I will look at that right now.

[Cuda84]

Well my first thought when seeing the toolpaths was. I did not give enough surfaces. There is no way our 5X head is going to get inside that cavity.

 

It took me a few minuts to realize that I did not have to cut these toolpaths. I am currently running tests to see if this is a good way to go.

 

Looks great right now though.

 

Thanks alot.